asparagus

as·par·a·gus

noun \ə-ˈsper-ə-gəs, -ˈspa-rə-\

plural as·par·a·gus

Definition of ASPARAGUS

: any of a genus (Asparagus) of Old World perennial plants of the lily family having much-branched stems, minute scalelike leaves, and narrow usually filiform branchlets that function as leaves; especially : one (A. officinalis) widely cultivated for its edible young shoots

Illustration of ASPARAGUS

Origin of ASPARAGUS

New Latin, genus name, from Latin, asparagus plant, from Greek asparagos; perhaps akin to Greek spargan to swell

First Known Use: 1545

as·par·a·gus

noun \ə-ˈspar-ə-gəs\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ASPARAGUS

1

capitalized : a genus of Old World perennial herbs of the lily family (Liliaceae) having erect much-branched stems, minute scalelike leaves, and narrow filiform branchlets that function as leaves

2

a : any plant of the genus Asparagus; especially : a plant (A. officinalis) widely cultivated for its tender edible young shoots b : the root of cultivated asparagus formerly used as a diuretic

Illustration of ASPARAGUS

asparagus

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any plant of the genus Asparagus (lily family), which contains about 300 species native from Siberia to southern Africa. The best-known and economically most important species is the garden asparagus (A. officinalis), cultivated as a green vegetable for its succulent spring stalks. Several African species are grown as ornamental plants. The poisonous species prized for their delicate and graceful foliage are A. plumosus (the feathery asparagus fern, or florists' fern—not a true fern), A. sprengeri, and A. asparagoides.